USDA Selects Projects for $123 M in Stimulus Funds
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the selection of more than $123 million in water and environmental projects that are being funded immediately through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities in 24 states.
"The water and wastewater projects announced today support the Obama administration's goal of rebuilding and revitalizing our country's rural infrastructure and putting people to work by doing the work that Americans want done." Vilsack said. "These Recovery Act investments will provide reliable drinking water and sanitary waste disposal while creating and saving jobs in rural America."
The 24 states and their projects are listed below.
In Gulf County, Fla., the city of Wewahitchka has been selected to receive $5.44 million to provide funding for a centralized water system for the residents of Stone Mill Creek community and to replace the city's 30- year-old storage tank. The centralized water system for Stone Mill Creek community will ensure quality drinking water and provide adequate water pressure for fire protection.
Meanwhile, Johnson City in Washington County, Tenn., was selected to receive $869,000 to extend safe, reliable water service to an area outside the city limits where household wells and springs have become unreliable for a significant part of the year. A majority have also already tested positive for bacteria and other contaminants. The new water mains will deliver service to about 75 existing households in the Hartmantown area and enable the city to meet the needs of other families and businesses as this rural community on its doorstep continues to grow.
USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.
Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.
Project List for ARRA Water and Wastewater Funding
Florida -- Immokalee Water & Sewer District (Sewer): $8,088,000; Wewahitchka Stone Mill Creek Water (Water): $5,445,200
Iowa -- City of Elkader (Sewer): $1,165,000
Idaho -- City of Fairfield (Sewer): $1,220,000
Illinois-- Eaton Water District (Water): $1,375,000
Kentucky -- Edmonson County Water District (Water): $819,500; Pendleton County Water District (Water): $275,000
Louisiana -- Town of Jonesville (Water): $205,000; Village of Montpelier (Water): $850,000
Maine -- Lincoln Sanitary District (Sewer): $2,650,000
Michigan -- West Iron County Sewer Authority (Sewer) $1,000,000
Missouri -- City of Clarence (Sewer): $2,763,000; Jackson County PWSD #17 (Water): $417,000; Linn-Livingston PWSD #3 (Water): $3,369,030
Missippi -- Clarkdale Water Association, Inc (Water): $4,200,000; Trim Cane Water Association, Inc. (Water): $689,000
North Dakota -- City of Oakes (Combined): $4,970,000
New Hampshire -- North Conway Water Precinct ( Sewer): $8,190,000
New York -- Town of Boston Water District 2 (Water): $353,700; Town of Boston Water District 3 (Water): $3,006,000; Village of Sodus Point (Water): $2,520,000; Town of West Sparta (Water): $795,000
Ohio -- Jefferson County (Sewer): $9,429,000; Northwestern Water & Sewer Dist. (Sewer): $4,420,000
Oklahoma -- Flint Ridge Rural Water District (Water): $3,860,000
Oregon -- Tri City Water & Sanitary Authority (Sewer): $1,595,000; Netarts-Oceanside Sanitary District (NOSD) (Sewer): $20,995,000
South Carolina -- Town of Williamston (Sewer) $4,866,600; Williamsburg County (Water): $4,147,600
South Dakota -- Aurora-Brule Rural Water System, Inc.(Water): $3,680,000
Tennessee -- City of Johnson City (Water): $869,000
Texas -- Baffin Bay Water Supply Corporation (Water): $1,627,000; Leigh WSC (Water): $2,515,000
Virginia -- Carroll County Public Service Authority (Water): $1,062,000
Washington -- Battleground (Sewer): $7,000,000
Wisconsin -- Town of Port Wing (Sewer): $1,142,000 West Virginia -- McDowell County Public Service District (Water): $1,724,000; Town of Newburg (Water): $185,000
West Virginia -- McDowell County Public Service District (Water): $1,724,000; Town of Newburg (Water): $185,000